Confrontation

Ashley met with Julie and Jason, after notifying the blackmailer of their intended rendezvous. She proceeded with caution towards the two as they sat on the park bench, eyeing her with an evil gaze as she neared. Julie spoke first, her resolve emboldened by Jason’s methodical reasoning. Julie held back from swatting Ashley, angered about her propositioning Jason early in the relationship.

“Hello Ash,” Julie practically spat. Ashley responded with a nod. “Before we get started on this blackmailer thing, let’s get one thing straight.” Julie poked a finger in between Ashley’s breasts, thumping it against her sternum. “Don’t let me ever hear of you trying to fuck Jason, ever, again!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Ashley interrupted Julie’s tirade. “What are you talking about?”

“Jason told me about how you tried to seduce him when we first met.”

Ashley regained her composure quickly. “Oh that,” she shrugged it off with a laugh, “I was just testing him to see if he was good enough for you.” Ashley looked at Jason with condescending eyes. “I was just seeing if he’d say yes. If he did, I was going to tell you to dump him! I never had any intention to bed him. Sorry Jules, he’s not my type.” Again, Ashley scowled at Jason. “And, if I’m not mistaken, I’m the one who has always said that the two of you are a perfect match!”

With the wind taken out of her sails, Julie had to admit, that Ashley’s logical explanation was sounder than Jason’s conjecture. She quickly apologized to Ashley and hugged her, begging for forgiveness. She blamed her behavior on the nervous wreck she had become ever since encountering the blackmailer.

“You told Jason about the blackmailer,” Ashley quipped. “That could be very dangerous. He told us not to tell anybody about what was going on.”

Jason finally spoke up. He finally began to believe that Ashley was not part of the blackmailing process. “It doesn’t matter. I’m putting an end to all of this. I got five other guys all set ready to pounce this bastard and send him straight to hell.”

“How do you figure on doing that?” Ashley asked.

“Well I figure he’s got to be close, close enough to get photos and videos. We’ll set up a perimeter and close in on him. Once we pummel him, we’ll go to his house and destroy his computer and anything else he may have on Julie.”

“Me too,” Ashley added, reinforcing the fact she was being blackmailed also.

The three split up and went home. Jason took Julie home while Ashley traipsed back to her place. Ashley immediately emailed the blackmailer with all the details, secretly hoping he would know what to do. He did not reply.

Julie immediately went to her computer to see if the blackmailer had left any more instructions or images for her to view. There was nothing. Even though Julie was relieved, she was somewhat disappointed, eager to get this ordeal over with. Now that she lay in bed, she began to realize there was emptiness inside of her. A sense of excitement was missing. Control was once again coming into her life. She became aware of how exhilarating being out of control could be. Julie was being torn in two as her mind seeked the control and normalcy of life with Jason, yet her body was searching for the spontaneity and zest of adventure with the blackmailer. Julie tossed and turned, unable to sleep comfortably throughout the night.

Julie stammered to the phone when Jason called, checking to see if the blackmailer had contacted her. Julie said he had not, but that she would check her emails. She’d call him back once she was done. Julie wasted no time, logging into her account. There it was! There was only one email, ‘Let’s meet!’ Julie opened the email. Ashley was copied on the email also. It said to be at the corner of Fourth and Jefferson at two o’clock. Julie immediately logged off and called Jason. Jason reassured Julie, and told her to do as instructed. He told her that he and his boys would be in place, and that they were going out there right now to scope out the surroundings.

Julie relaxed knowing that Jason would take care of everything. Ashley then called and asked Julie if she got her email yet? Julie said she did, and that Jason was already on the job. The two agreed to meet at Julie’s house and make the trip together.

Ashley was there in no time, and the two strode out the door on their way to the designated location. They walked since it was only a couple of blocks away. Both girls were modestly dressed, both in running shorts and tee-shirts. Ashley’s clothing was, of course, seemingly a size too small. When they reached the corner, they stopped and looked around for any signs of Jason and his friends. They didn’t see anyone they knew, and wondered if the blackmailer was among them. Suddenly, a ringing from the phone booth next to them startled them. The two looked at each other questioning whether they should answer the phone. They knew the answer, but which one was going to pick it up. Ashley nudged Julie, and she reluctantly grabbed the handle. “Hello?”

“Glad to see you made it. We’re going on an adventure today. I hope you’re ready to play. Let me talk to Ashley first.” Julie handed the phone to her friend, her hands shaking once again. While Ashley was on the phone, Julie scanned her surroundings looking at every person once again. Meanwhile, Ashley was simply nodding her head, uttering, “mm hmm,” to whatever the blackmailer was instructing her to do. Ashley then handed the phone back to Julie. Ashley then scanned the area looking for Jason and his buddies. “Julie,” the blackmailer continued, “in exactly one minute, the city bus will be stopping at the corner you are at.” Julie then realized he was right, they were standing at a designated bus stop. “Reach under the phone book and you’ll find bus tokens and an envelope. Leave the envelope at the phone. Stay on the phone until the bus comes. When it gets there, you and Ashley climb on board and get off at the next stop. Further instructions will be waiting for you at the phone booth there.”

Sure enough, the swishing air sound of the bus was right behind Julie, just as he had said. She reached her hand under the book and found the tokens and the envelope. The envelope had Jason’s name written on it! She grabbed the tokens and looked at Ashley, “Let’s go, we got to get on the bus.”

The two girls quickly jumped aboard, not wanting to upset the blackmailer.

The bus pulled away, leaving the corner booth empty. Just as predicted, Jason and his five goons converged on the spot, wondering what the hell happened. Jason spotted the note.

The note said for Jason to head to the church. There were specific instructions for him located under the second pew on the right side. It also warned of dire consequences if he did not comply quickly. It warned that Monsignor might find the envelope if he did not hurry.